Know what you believe and why you believe it

The existence of the universe proves that God exists. The fact that there is something rather than nothing proves there must be a creator. A created thing cannot create itself. Somebody has to create it. We know the universe had a beginning because scientists have proved that the origin of the universe happened in a precisely tuned moment the scientists call a “big bang”. Since things that begin to exist must have a cause and the universe began to exist, it follows that the universe must have a cause for its existence.

Don’t believe that that the universe began to exist? Consider what a couple of atheists believe about the beginning of the universe as suggested by these quotations:

“Almost everyone now believes that the universe, and time itself, had a beginning at the Big Bang.” Stephen Hawking

“With the proof now in place, cosmologists can no longer hide behind the possibility of a past-eternal universe. There is now no escape, they have to face the problem of a cosmic beginning.” Alexander Vilenkin

There are several scientific proofs that the universe had a beginning. The first is that the universe is expanding from the “big bang” creation event. If time were reversed, the universe would collapse back into nothing. We see evidence of a cosmic explosion in the second scientific proof, the discovery of cosmic background radiation. This radiation is the heat that was leftover from the big bang. The cosmic background radiation is literally the “smoking gun” of the big bang. Third, The universe is running down; it is running out of usable energy (the second law of thermodynamics). The universe is like a flashlight that is slowly dimming because the battery is dying. This proves that the universe can’t be eternally existent. Fourth, scientists have discovered slight variations in the temperature of the background cosmic radiation, like ripples in a pond. These temperature variations are so precise as to allow just enough matter to congregate and form galaxies, but not so much as to cause the universe to collapse back into itself. This discovery shows that the creation event was finely tuned to allow the universe to form. The fifth evidence for a creation event is Einstein’s theory of general relativity. The theory of general relativity requires an absolute beginning to time, space and matter and proves that all three are interdependent. In other words you can’t have one without the others. All of these: expansion, background radiation, loss of usable energy, the orderly temperature variations and the theory of relativity; show that the universe had a beginning.

When something is begins to exist, we expect to find that a creator, someone with intelligence, created it. When we see a book in a bookstore, we assume that an author wrote it. That is a much more plausible explanation than to think that the book leapt into being on it’s own out of nothing. In our experience, authors write books. In our experience we never see books leap into existence. When we read the works of Shakespeare, we don’t think that there must have been a bunch of monkeys in a room randomly pounding on typewriters. We assume that an intelligent being, Shakespeare, created these works. Things that begin to exist always have a creator, especially things that are exquisitely designed like the universe.

To anyone who denies that the universe has a creator consider this question “Which is more plausible, that the universe was created by someone or that the universe was created by no one”? If you say it is more plausible to believe that no one created the universe, then you are suppressing the truth. People suppress the truth as Romans 1:18-21 tells us…

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

Since we know that an exquisitely designed universe made up of matter and exists in time and space, we can also know that it’s creator is timeless, space-less, immaterial, intelligent and creative. These are all attributes that we ascribe to God. If you believe that the universe does not have a creator, I implore you to consider the evidence. There is a God. All of creation points to that fact that there is a God. God is seeking those who would choose to follow him. He gave up his only birth son to make your adoption into his family possible.

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ”Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. Romans 8:14-17

Do you believe people that commit moral sins deserve to be punished? Have you ever committed moral sins (all of us have)? Do you want to receive the free pardon God offers you in Jesus? Are you willing to be a part of God’s family? The choice is yours.

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The story of the Star of Bethlehem has been a mystery for a long time. With the advances we have made since the advent of computers, Astronomers have identified several astrological events that may describe what the Magi saw that led them to search for a king who was born in Judea. Before considering these events some Biblical and historical context should be understood.

Wise Men (Magi) from the East

Matthew 2:1-6 says ”Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, Wise-men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we saw his star in the east, and are come to worship him’. And when Herod the king heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judea: for thus it is written through the prophet, ‘And thou Bethlehem, land of Judah, art in no wise least among the princes of Judah: for out of thee shall come forth a governor, who shall be shepherd of my people Israel’.” (ASV)

Matthew 2:8-9 adds “And they, having heard the king, went their way; and lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. And when they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.” (ASV)

Herod must not have noticed the events in the sky that the Magi did because he had to ask when the star appeared. This seems to rule out events like comets, shooting stars or novae (unless the novae are very far away and appeared as a new star in the normal range of brightness). So the events that led the Magi (likely astrologers from what was once Persia) were more probably “signs” in the sky that appear on some regular interval due to the orbit of the planets and the earth.

Computers and Kepler

In the age of computers we are now able to see what the night sky looked like at any point in history with relative ease using the planetary formulas discovered by Johannes Kepler (a contemporary of Galileo). We also know from the oldest and most reliable manuscripts of “Antiquities of the Jews” written by Jewish historian Flavius Josephus that King Herod (the Great) died in 1 BC. This is important because Jesus was born shortly before the death of Herod. When looking for answers to what astrological events might answer the mystery of the Star of Bethlehem, Astronomers began to search the nighttime skies between 7 and 2 BC. Using computers and Kepler’s formulas, some unusual formations of planets and stars were indeed discovered around the time of Jesus’ birth.

What Did the Astrologers from the East Believe?

Before we look at what Astronomers have discovered in the night skies, lets try to understand what wise men from the east (Magi) might have believed about the stars and planets. Astrologers knew about constellations in the night sky. We even see constellations mentioned in the Bible in passages like:

“…who alone stretched out the heavens and trampled the waves of the sea; who made the Bear and Orion, the Pleiades and the chambers of the south…” (Job 9:8-9)

“Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades or loose the cords of Orion?” (Job 38:31)

All that we see in the night sky must not be worshipped (as the astrologers from the east may have done). We see this clearly prohibited in the Bible in passages like Deuteronomy 4:19:

“And beware lest you raise your eyes to heaven, and when you see the sun and the moon and the stars, ball the host of heaven, you be drawn away and bow down to them and serve them, things that the Lord your God has allotted to all the peoples under the whole heaven.”

Yet we are told in the Bible that there will be “signs” in the heavens as stated in Luke 21:25 and following that “…there will be signs in sun and moon and stars…”

All that we see in the sky should point us to the worship of God as is clearly seen from passages like:

“Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name, by the greatness of his might, and because he is strong in power not one is missing.” (Isaiah 40:26)

“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.” (Psalm 19:1-4)

So, we may look for signs in the sky, but they are to point us to the majesty and splendor of God. It is he alone who must be worshiped. The Magi from the east likely worshiped idols like the Persian or Roman gods or perhaps the stars themselves. These Magi may have associated the planet Jupiter with the greatest god of Roman mythology or perhaps with royalty. They may have understood Saturn as the Roman god of abundance and peace, the father of Jupiter or perhaps the Mesopotamian deity that protected Israel. They could have thought of Mars as the macho god of virility. They also may have associated the planet Venus with fertility, the constellation Virgo with virgins, and the constellation Pisces with Israel. These associations may have played a role in their decision to travel to Jerusalem to look for a king who had just been born.

One other important point is that in the time of Daniel’s captivity in Babylon, which was later conquered by Persia, one of the titles given to Daniel was Rab-mag, the Chief of the Magi. Perhaps Daniel passed on his knowledge of Bible prophecy to ancestors of the Magi. This may have been why they were searching the skies for signs of the birth of the Jewish Messiah or king.

Three Theories

There are three night sky theories that seem do the best job of explaining why the Magi came from the east to search for a king. The earliest of these stellar events occurred when Jupiter and Saturn approached each other three times in the constellation Pisces in planetary conjunctions in the span of one year in 7-6 BC. Triple conjunctions in a period of one year are possible because of the occasional retrograde motions of planets. When a planet undergoes retrograde motion, it makes a loop against the background of stars. The planet first passes another planet or star, enters retrograde (moving from west to east – stars move from east to west) passes that planet or star again then continues its normal path and passes the planet or star a third time. In addition, the planet appears to the naked eye to be stationary at each end of the loop for about one week (which could explain the star stopping over Bethlehem). Could the Magi have seen this triple conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn as a sign of the birth of new royalty in the nation of Israel or perhaps the Messiah?

The second theory involves a very close conjunction of Jupiter, Mars and Saturn in the constellation Pisces. This triple conjunction happens in Pisces only once in about every 900 years. Could the Magi have understood this triple conjunction as the manly (Mars) Saturn coming to Israel with his son Jupiter.

The last theory involves Jupiter coming into three conjunctions with the brightest star in the constellation Leo, Regulus (whose name means regal), in 3-2 BC. In this triple conjunction Jupiter circled around Regulus. Interestingly, this triple conjunction was followed in June of 2 BC by a very close conjunction of Jupiter and Venus in the constellation Virgo in the western sky. The moon was also underneath Jupiter and Venus when they were in conjunction. Could the Magi have understood the moon as the new king being born to Jupiter (the king) and Venus (the virgin)?

All of these events are just educated explanations for what the Magi saw; however, there is no way to know for sure without having actual evidence. If God wanted to perform a miracle in the skies to announce the birth of his son, he certainly could have done so. After all, he created a universe out of nothing, sent plagues to Egypt, revealed himself in Smoke and Fire in the wilderness wanderings, turned water into wine, fed thousands on a meager meal, walked on water, and raised Jesus from the dead. And that is just a partial list of what an infinite, timeless, space-less, omnipotent, omniscient and personal God has done.

The Birth of the King of Kings

Whether any of these three night sky explanations would have been seen by the Magi and interpreted as announcing the birth of king is not known for sure. But we do know that the savior of the world, Jesus of Nazareth, the Lion of Judah, the King of kings and Lord of lords, was born in the town of Bethlehem to a virgin not long before king Herod died in 1 BC. Jesus is the only hope for mankind since he alone is perfect and came to earth to take the punishment we deserved on a cruel Roman cross. At this time of year when all of us remember his birth, let’s also remember that he came to earth to suffer among us and ultimately die for us. What a magnificent King we serve!

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Christianity has fallen into disrepute in the United States. It is now more fashionable, at least in education, media, government and other areas of public life to favor other less coherent world views. It wasn’t always this way. At one time our elected leaders and the laws they passed favored the Christian faith as its principles formed the foundation of our nation. Many of the founding documents and writings of public leaders are riddled with Christian ideas like this one from Thomas Jefferson:

“It was not, however, to be understood that instruction in religious opinions and duties was meant to be precluded by the public authorities as indifferent to the interests of society. On the contrary, the relations which exist between man and his Maker – and the duties resulting from those relations – are the most interesting and important to every human being and the most incumbent on his study and investigation.”

Thanksgiving Day Proclamations

Many of our presidents wrote memorable Thanksgiving proclamations including this one by our first president:

Thanksgiving Proclamation President George Washington City of New York, October 3, 1789

Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor, and Whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me “to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.”

Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be. That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks, for his kind care and protection of the People of this country previous to their becoming a Nation, for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his providence, which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war, for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed, for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted, for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.

And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions, to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually, to render our national government a blessing to all the People, by constantly being a government of wise, just and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed, to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nation (especially such as have shown kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord. To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the encrease of science among them and Us, and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.

As we give thanks for the many blessings we have, let us give a special thanks to the God who created us with unalienable rights that have their source in no other.

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Fifty years ago two great men died. Most remember this day as the day that John F. Kennedy died, but few remember that it also the day that C.S. Lewis died. C.S. Lewis authored many great books including Mere Christianity, The Screwtape Letters, The Problem of Pain, The Weight of Glory, Surprised by Joy, The Great Divorce, the Chronicles of Narnia Series and many others.

In his book Mere Christianity, Lewis made the observation that many say Jesus was a great moral teacher, but they don’t believe that he was the Son of God. I wonder if those who say these things have ever considered what Jesus said of himself:

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)

“I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.” (John 11:25)

“For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will.” (John 5:21)

“For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” (John 6:40)

“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.” (John 6:44)

How can a man make the claims that Jesus made and be merely a good moral teacher? C.S. Lewis described how foolish it is to claim that Christ was nothing more than a good teacher when in Mere Christianity he wrote:

“I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: ‘I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God.’ That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic—on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg—or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronising nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.”

Was he a liar? Was he a lunatic? Was he the Lord of heaven and savior of the world? Those are the options that are open to us. Will you receive Jesus as savior? If not, your only option is to believe that he is a liar or worse.

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I love those who love Allah because they are made in God’s image. I love the zeal and passion they show in following what they believe. I wish that some of my Christian friends would exhibit this same sort of zeal and passion for following God! Because of the love and respect I have for my Muslim friends, I hope they will tolerate my frank and honest discussion as well as this additional question.

Does Allah really love you?

Please correct me if I’m wrong, but I could only find two Surahs that mention Allah’s love for his people:

“Say: If you love Allah, then follow me, Allah will love you and forgive you your faults, and Allah is Forgiving, Merciful”. Surah 3:31

“Never stand in it; certainly a masjid founded on piety from the very first day is more deserving that you should stand in it; in it are men who love that they should be purified; and Allah loves those who purify themselves. Surah 9:108

These passages say that Allah loves his people but they seem to be conditional. In Surah 3:31 it appears Allah will love you only if you love him. In Surah 9:108 it appears that Allah will love you if you purify yourself. Is that how you understand them? Is Allah’s love conditional?

Love is the greatest of all ethics. I would have expected Allah, if he is a maximally great God, to exhibit the greatest of all ethics in a maximally great way, but I just don’t see that in him. Am I missing something here?

A Truly Loving God

I performed the very same search using the Bible as well. In contrast I found 29 passages that mention God’s love for us. Among the passages that tell of God’s love are these:

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another”.1 John 4:7-11

“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord”. Romans 8:38-39

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

“Give thanks to the God of gods, for his steadfast love endures forever”. Psalm 136:2

“Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word”.2 Thessalonians 16-17

God Did for Us What We Could Not Do for Ourselves

The God of Christianity is a maximally holy God. He cannot be in the presence of sin, but he saw that we could not rescue ourselves from sin, so in his mercy he provided a way of rescue for us. “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God”. (2 Corinthians 5:21) We were bound to the law of sin and death because we could not live up to God’s standard, but God willingly sacrificed his one and only son “so that we might receive adoption as sons.” (Galatians 4:5). That is how a maximally great God shows love in a maximally great way!

I know my Muslim friends are now thinking that I believe in three Gods. May it never be! There is one God. All Christians believe that there is one God who is revealed to us in three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This one God is eternally one in essence and eternally distinct in three persons. This allows God to express all the range emotions that we feel in a maximally great way – even before the creation of the universe. That is something that the lonely Allah could not do before creation (I mean no disrespect in saying that – it just seems to follow from what I know about Allah – please correct me if I’m wrong). The idea of a triune God, a God who is three in one, is hard for us to comprehend but perhaps we can apprehend who he is. We have to remember that we are finite beings and God is an infinite God. Actually we are finite “becomings” because we are not yet what God intends us to be. God is the only one who has eternal being. God has condescended to reveal himself to us – even to the point of becoming one of us to suffer in our place. He saw our suffering and chose to suffer with us. That is a maximally great love!

God has given us a free gift as so well described in Romans 5:6-10. “For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person – though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die – but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.” So then, we are justified by faith just as Abraham was. For Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness” (Galatians 3:6). “Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.” So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith”. (Galatians 3:7-9 & Genesis 12:3)

God is offering you the free gift of salvation in Christ Jesus . Will you put your faith in Christ and receive him as your savior?

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Allah is a maximally great and holy God. Allah is perfect and righteous. He does not tolerate evil and he judges rightly by punishing those who do evil and think evil thoughts.

Have you disobeyed Allah? Have you lived up to Allah’s expectations? Will Allah really forgive those whom he judges or will he not judge rightly by punishing you for the sins you commit? For according to the Quran:

“That is because Allah never changeth the grace He hath bestowed on any people until they first change that which is in their hearts, and (that is) because Allah is Hearer, Knower.” Surah 8:53;

“But lo! many are led astray by their own lusts through ignorance. Lo! thy Lord, He is Best Aware of the transgressors. Forsake the outwardness of sin and the inwardness thereof. Lo! those who garner sin will be awarded that which they have earned.” Surah 6:119-120

“They were mightier than these in power and (in the) traces (which they left behind them) in the earth. Yet Allah seized them for their sins, and they had no protector from Allah.” Surah 40:21

All have sinned both outwardly and inwardly. None of us are perfect. Shall any then escape the right judgment of Allah when he is punished for his sin? If you respond that Allah forgives those who believe in him, how can that be? Does Allah commit an evil act by rewarding those who have sinned? On what basis will Allah be a righteous judge if he rewards sinners? The Quran clearly states that we will not be wronged in judgment. It says we will all receive what we deserve.

“And Allah created the heavens and the earth with truth and that every soul may be rewarded for what it has earned and they shall not be wronged.” Surah 45:22

So then, what reward will you receive from Allah? Since sin is punished and all have sinned, will not all who believe in Allah be punished?

A More Excellent Way

There is a righteous judge who does not commit evil by judging wrongly. He forgives sinners not on the basis of their evil acts but on the basis of a substitutionary sacrifice. This righteous judge will punish all people who do not receive the free gift, the substitutionary sacrifice, being offered to them. This free gift is a righteousness that is credited to us by the sacrifice of a perfectly obedient life given in the person and work of Jesus. For even the Quran says:

She [Mary] said: Lo! I seek refuge in the Beneficent One from thee, if thou art Allah-fearing. He said: I am only a messenger of thy Lord, that I may bestow on thee a faultless son [Jesus]. Surah 19:18-19

The free gift of eternal reward is exceedingly good news. It is available to all and could be summed up in this way:

God is maximally holy

We have all sinned against God

Sinners cannot be in the presence of a maximally holy God

God sent Jesus to die as a once and for all perfect sacrificial offering for us.

In his death Jesus took our sin on himself and credited to us his righteousness

If we receive the free gift of Jesus, then we receive an eternal reward not based on our righteousness, but based on the righteous of Jesus

Having therefore received the righteousness of Jesus, we respond with praise and sacrificial living

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Many are unaware that the Qur’an mentions Jesus in several of its Surahs. For example, Surah 3:45 says “(And remember) when the angels said: O Mary! Lo! Allah giveth thee glad tidings of a word from him, whose name is the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, illustrious in the world and the Hereafter, and one of those brought near (unto Allah).”

The Qur’an mentions Muhammad as too. For example Surah 38:1-2 says “The revelation of the Scripture is from Allah, the Mighty, the Wise. Lo! We have revealed the Scripture unto thee (Muhammad) with truth; so worship Allah, making religion pure for Him (only).”

The Supremacy of Jesus

The Qur’an is complementary toward Jesus, but how do the Surahs about Jesus compare with similar Surahs about Muhammad? Do the Surahs about Jesus indicate his supremacy over Muhammad? Let’s compare a few Surahs about Jesus and Muhammad.

Jesus is Born of a virgin but Muhammad is mortal

Jesus: She [Mary] said: How can I have a son when no mortal hath touched me, neither have I been unchaste? He said: So (it will be). Thy Lord saith: It is easy for Me. And (it will be) that We may make of him a revelation for mankind and a mercy from Us, and it is a thing ordained. Surah 19:20-21

Muhammad: Say (unto them O Muhammad): I am only a mortal like you. Surah 41:6

Jesus could speak from birth

Jesus: Then she brought him (Jesus) to her own folk, carrying him. They said: O Mary! Thou hast come with an amazing thing. O sister of Aaron! Thy father was not a wicked man nor was thy mother a harlot. Then she pointed to him [Jesus]. They said: How can we talk to one who is in the cradle, a young boy? He [Jesus] spake: Lo! I am the slave of Allah. He hath given me the Scripture and hath appointed me a Prophet, And hath made me blessed wheresoever I may be, and hath enjoined upon me prayer and almsgiving so long as I remain alive, And (hath made me) dutiful toward her who bore me, and hath not made me arrogant, unblest. Surah 19:27-32

Jesus: When Allah saith: O Jesus, son of Mary! Remember My favour unto thee and unto thy mother; how I strengthened thee with the holy Spirit, so that thou spakest unto mankind in the cradle as in maturity; Surah 5:110

Jesus heals the sick, gives sight to the blind, resuscitates the dead, and creates

Jesus: … and how I taught thee the Scripture and Wisdom and the Torah and the Gospel; and how thou didst shape of clay as it were the likeness of a bird by My permission, and didst blow upon it and it was a bird by My permission, and thou didst heal him who was born blind and the leper by My permission; and how thou didst raise the dead by My permission; and how I restrained the Children of Israel from (harming) thee when thou camest unto them with clear proofs, and those of them who disbelieved exclaimed: This is naught else than mere magic; Surah 5:110

Jesus is faultless and righteous but Muhammad must be forgiven

Jesus: And remember when the angels said: O Mary! Lo! Allah giveth thee glad tidings of a word from him, whose name is the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, illustrious in the world and the Hereafter, and one of those brought near (unto Allah). He will speak unto mankind in his cradle and in his manhood, and he is of the righteous. Surah 3:45-46

Jesus: She [Mary] said: Lo! I seek refuge in the Beneficent One from thee, if thou art Allah-fearing. He said: I am only a messenger of thy Lord, that I may bestow on thee a faultless son [Jesus]. Surah 19:18-19

Muhammad: Then have patience (O Muhammad). Lo! the promise of Allah is true. And ask forgiveness of thy sin, and hymn the praise of thy Lord at fall of night and in the early hours. Surah 40:55

Muhammad: So know (O Muhammad) that there is no Allah save Allah, and ask forgiveness for thy sin and for believing men and believing women. Allah knoweth (both) your place of turmoil and your place of rest. Surah 47:19

Muhammad: “Lo! We have given thee (O Muhammad) a signal victory, That Allah may forgive thee of thy sin that which is past and that which is to come, and may perfect His favor unto thee, and may guide thee on a right path. Surah 48:1-2

Those who follow Jesus are above those who disbelieve

Jesus: (And remember) when Allah said: O Jesus! Lo! I am gathering thee and causing thee to ascend unto Me, and am cleansing thee of those who disbelieve and am setting those who follow thee above those who disbelieve until the Day of Resurrection. As for those who disbelieve I shall chastise them with a heavy chastisement in the world and the Hereafter; and they will have no helpers. And as for those who believe and do good works, He will pay them their wages in full. Allah loveth not wrong-doers. This (which) We recite unto thee is a revelation and a wise reminder. Surah 3:55-58

Even the Titles for Jesus in the Qur’an Seem to Indicate his Supremacy

The Messiah (Al-Masih): Jesus is given this title eleven times in the Qur’an. Surahs 3:45, 4:157, 4:171, 4:172, 5:17, 5:72, 5:75; 9:30, 9:31

The Word of God (Kalimatullah): Jesus is also called “His Word” in Surah 4:171, meaning the Word of God. In Surah 3:45 we also read that the angels said to Mary “Allah giveth thee glad tidings of “a word from Him”, whose name is the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary”. More than once in the Qur’an, therefore, Jesus is called God’s Word.

A Spirit From God (Ruhullah): Jesus is called a “spirit from Him” Surah 4:171 and 58:22. Very significantly Yusuf Ali, commenting on this latter verse in his translation of the Qur’an states that here the “phrase used is stronger” than that for the Holy Spirit (Ruhul Quds). He implies that the Spirit from God is greater than the Holy Spirit and says that it is “the divine Spirit, which we can no more define adequately than we can define in human language the nature and attributes of God”.

Jesus is Supreme and the Only Way to God

Jesus is unique. The Bible was written over a period of 1400 years and yet the single thread that runs from Genesis to Revelation is Jesus, the savior of the world. Only in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus can man be saved. The Bible records these words of Jesus in John 14:6 : “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me”. Acts 4:12 adds “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” It is undeniable that all people experience sin. Only Christianity recognizes that man is depraved and in need of a savior. Only Christianity recognizes the savior that God sent to save people from the condemnation due them because of sin.

What will you do with Jesus? Will you recognize that he alone lived the life that you should have lived and died the death that you should have died? He alone provides a way of escape from the condemnation of your sin. Everyone must decide what to do with Jesus. Have you?